Free Wi-Fi at Barnes and Noble
Yay for Barnes & Noble! Whether it’s a marketing stunt to promote its new eBookstore or just the simple realization that Wi-Fi should be free for the masses, B&N has announced its stores have now made Wi-Fi access complimentary.
This is precisely why I prefer The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf to Starbucks, though I do love me some Starbucks. While Starbucks coffee is delicious, I just can’t digest the demand for more money for Wi-Fi access. Though if you have an iPhone, some hotspots are free through At&T.
More often than not, I’m using a laptop with all my necessary files and such. Coffee Bean’s drinks are just as delicious, but then I get the added bonus of free Wi-Fi too, so I can enjoy my coffee at my leisure and maybe get some work done while I’m at it. No subscriptions or accounts required.
Of course, recently Coffee Bean has imposed a time limit that kicks you off after 2 hours for a 10 minute break, “so you can join us in the real world.” You can sign back on after your imposed break is over but it’s caught me in the middle of sending important emails more than once, so boo to that.
Seeing as how most Barnes & Noble locations also house a cafe, I shall be very happy to switch my Wi-Fi loyalties and coffee specialty drink patronage for a few test runs. Even if B&N’s access includes inconveniently scheduled interruptions, which I don’t know if it does at this point, it’s still another pleasant option for those of us who like to multitask while we’re taking a break or just stay connected if we’re working out of the office. Thanks, B&N.
Sources: Macworld, Barnes & Noble
